2006 Dodge Power Wagon 2500 Review

Your first glimpse of a Dodge Power Wagon tells you it is designed
specifically for industrial strength off road prowess. Riding on massive
LT285/70R17 tires on 17x8” forged aluminum wheels, the chassis is
jacked up 50 mm front and 37.5 mm rear. Atop the cab, running lights
intimate Power Wagon’s massive towing potential of over 16,000 pounds
(7250 kg.)

Though Power Wagon was introduced late in 2005, it shares styling changes
affecting all 2006 Heavy Duty Ram trucks. The already bold nose became
bolder with a massive cross-hair grille. Headlamps are larger twin circular
halogen lamps producing 22% more lumens enclosed in a wrap-around housing.
Interiors feature a redesigned instrument panel and new center console
larger than some café tables. Instruments are white with black numerals and
there is a full package of tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure, voltage,
fuel, and water temperature gauges.

The center console offers many storage
options for cups, papers, writing instruments, and miscellany, plus you can
order bucket seats (40/20/40) with the traditional Ram fold-down
arm-rest/storage compartment.

Sharing the center stack are HVAC system controls, differential and
anti-roll bar controls, and AM/FM CD sound system. An adjustable pedal
package is available and it tailors your height and driving position to the
truck very precisely. Dodge uses steering wheel mounted controls for audio
and cruise control, the best in the industry.

To enter this massive truck—your hip meets the sill plate and the
seat is rib cage high— you grab the A-pillar mounted assist handle
and hoist yourself in. Immediately you spot the large rotary knob
controlling differential locks and anti-roll unlocking buttons and the
manual transfer case shifter. This truck reeks of dirt, rocks, timberlands,
and mud.

The seats, 40/20/40 semi-buckets with the Dodge trademark containerized
elbow rest/storage unit were so deep that the bolster extends from knee to
hip.

On the dash, a GPS equipped DVD-based navigation system (I wonder if
the US Forest Service will order any) and behind me, totally out of reach,
a power-operated rear window. This Power Wagon was a mixture of brute
strength, and luxury features like an Infiniti stereo rear seat DVD
entertainment system and power sunroof.

Built off the proven 2500/3500 hydroformed frame, Power Wagons are equipped
with an NV 271 transfer case, American Axle TracRite ® axles with front
open and rear anti-spin electrically locking differentials. The axles lock
and unlock, (rear lock and front and rear lock) via a large dash-mounted
rotary knob. Below that knob is a pair of buttons to alternately disconnect
or reconnect the anti-roll (sway) bars for maximum articulation and minimal
chassis lean during extreme off roading.

Normally such features are available only in the aftermarket, and are expensive and
difficult to install. Dodge has packaged AND WARRANTED these products and
wrapped them into a 2500 or 3/4 –ton pickup that has as much
leather-lined luxury as the family sedan. Only the Power Wagon can climb,
if not leap, tall buildings.

Power Wagons are available in Regular Cab with 8’ bed or Quad Cab
models with a 6.25’ bed. Short-bed Quad Cabs provide maximum utility;
Regular Cab models are the workhorses. Quad Cab rear doors open 85° for
easy entry, rear seats flip and store to provide a flat and sturdy load
floor for commercial applications, groceries, furniture, and camping gear.
The shorter 6.25’ bed (190.5 cm) holds more than enough material for
most uses. Whether you specify a base model ($37,575USD) or add DVD
Navigation, Infiniti Sound system, automatic transmission, power adjustable
pedals, and power sunroof (price as tested, $47,485USD) the job will get
done.

You should ask about living with this truck. If you’re from the era
when T-By-God-Trucks were Manly Vehicles, the Power Wagon will astonish you
with its complexity and sophistication. Yes it’s a truck, but one
your girlfriend, mom, or wife and kids will find comfortable, quiet, and a
great vehicle to drive to the mall—assuming they can get up into it.

Ram trucks utilize two powertrains and Dodge is building its franchise on
the gasoline Hemi engine. This American icon V8, equipped with a 4.56:1
axle and five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, provides
quick acceleration and plenty of torque. With 257 kW @5,600 rpm of
horsepower (345 hp) and 510 Nm of torque (375 lb-ft) of torque at 4,400,
the 5.7-liter Hemi offers great 0-100 kmh times and a towing capability of
11,000 pounds (4,990 kg.)

The alternative Cummins Turbo Diesel—830 Nm @ 1,600 rpm, 242 kW @
2,900 rpm (610 lb-ft/325 hp)—provides a payload and towing
capacity—5,020 lb/16,400 lb or 2277 kg/7439 kg—greater than any
comparable vehicle. If you need this truck—it’s not a personal
use vehicle—than you won’t care about the 12.5 miles per gallon
highway or 11 mpg overall mileage I got, or you’ll pay the premium
for a diesel.

While the Power Wagon feels sophisticated, even tame on the highway, once
the front tires touch dirt or rock its manners change abruptly. All the
softness is overlaid by a very stiff and capable suspension. It instantly
feels like a truck, a fiercely competent vehicle capable of climbing or
traversing any obstacle it’s width and height can manage. Once the
4x4 system was engaged, our testing on deep sand and sandy hillsides was
only limited by traction from the standard BFG LT285/20R 17 all-terrain
tires. Knowing steel plates protected the transfer case and fuel tanks made
our enthusiasm worry free, as did rugged front and rear jounce bumpers.
Controlling the 35 mm front and 25 mm rear springs are Bilstein monotube
dampers. And the custom Warn winch, rated at 12,000 lb (5443 kg,) and
built-in tow hooks ensured we wouldn’t get stuck anywhere in our
private off road park. You can approach most obstacles with no worries,
there’s over 8” (200 mm) of ground clearance front and rear and
a forward approach angle of 35°, 26.5° rear makes rock crawling safe and
easy. Even easier once you uncouple the front anti-roll bar to improve
traction.

If I owned a ranch, worked in the mining or oil industry prospecting remote
locations, or controlled a vast forest system this is the vehicle I’d
want. It is capable of going anywhere, anytime, and would look great
arriving at any private country club – providing there were
stepladders for my lady to descend without soiling her dress. Better yet,
have your lady wear blue jeans, a fashion match to this rugged, strong,
handsome truck.

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